Allison Pasek/The Gazette Christian romance author Cecelia Dowdy sits in the office of her Greenbelt home beneath the colorful seascapes that inspire her writing. Dowdy's novel "First Mates" was released in February.

That genre, African-American Inspirational Romance, is a young genre within the Christian romance category that could force bookstore clerks to take a second look at their filing systems.

Dowdy described the allure of the young story style as almost irresistible.

"It pulled at me," she said. "I like the religious aspect of romance."

Dowdy, a Greenbelt resident, said she first discovered the genre through national writing organizations such as The Romance Writers Association and Washington Romance Writers.

Her most recent book, "First Mates," was published in February and is available online through Amazon, Barnes and Noble and Wal-Mart.

The heroine of the story, Rainey Jackson, takes a Caribbean cruise to cope with her ex-fiancé's infidelity and meets Winston Michaels, who is struggling with alcoholism after the death of his twin sister. The story unfolds as they tentatively find solace in each other as well as strength in faith.

"In my stories, I like to have everything center around the church, but indirectly," Dowdy explained.

During the thorough character-development process she undergoes before penning a story, Dowdy strives to give her characters a persona of their own.

"I think that it's amazing having the characters be themselves," she said.

In 1994, while working as an accountant for Sato Travel Agency, Dowdy began writing in her own time. With 37 short stories published in various women's magazines, such as True Confessions and True Love, Dowdy continued working as an accountant and moved on to The American Center for Physics, where she currently works.

After more than five years, Dowdy published the short story "Someone for Toni" as her premiere in hardbound publishing world. The story appeared as part of an anthology called "Promises to Keep."

While obtaining her degree in finance from the University of Maryland, Dowdy confessed that the writing part of her college education was garnered from the stacks of literature at the university library.

Her tireless work ethic is reflected in her aspirations for the future.

"I want to make it a career," she said. "But it's hard when you can't make enough [money]."

She possesses a modest personality that is instantly ignited by her passion for writing and enjoying the work of other writers. With enthusiastic hand gestures, she cited writers such as Sydney Sheldon and Jackie Collins as her favorites.

According to Dowdy's sister, JoAnna Dowdy, a rights analyst and fellow moonlighting writer, her sibling is "never lukewarm."

"She's very active, as far as writing goes, in the community," JoAnna said. "You can always see parts of her personality in her writing."

In particular, Cecelia Dowdy likes to zero in on descriptions of food.

As an example, she points to one of her characters, Toni, who owns a bakery in her short story "Someone for Toni."

"I didn't really notice it until one of my critique groups was getting hungry when they read my writing," Dowdy said.

Tracie Peterson, a romance writer and former acquisitions editor at Heartsong Present, recalls first reading Dowdy's writing.

"I do remember that she had a wonderful way with storytelling. That's a critical part of creating a story that will keep the reader turning the pages," Peterson said.

Talking about the new genre, she added, "I think there is a definite audience, and I do believe this market will grow in the years to come."

Even with these promising forecasts, Dowdy explained that there are still pitfalls in writing religious fiction.

"A lot of people don't even know what it is," she said. "Some writers are too preachy, and you have to try to be natural."